90,000 migrants don't use English when they take their driving test
IMMIGRANTS should be banned from taking their driving tests in foreign languages because of the rising number of accidents involving non-British motorists, an MP demanded last night.
Figures obtained by the Daily Express show that more than 90,000 learners took the UK Highway Code theory test in languages other than English last year.
They answered questions in any one of 20 tongues, including Albanian, Gujarati, Polish, Urdu and Kurdish, according to the Driving Standards Agency.
Thousands were also permitted to undertake practical on-the-road driving tests while accompanied by interpreters in their vehicles.
The multi-lingual service is offered despite a Government campaign to encourage immigrants to learn English.
Tory MP David Davies yesterday called for an end to the practice, and is to raise the issue with Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly. “It is disgusting that a basic understanding of English is not required for getting a UK driving licence,” he said.
“Surely there must be serious safety concerns about allowing people on the roads and motorways who cannot read English.
“The toll of fatal and serious accidents is already too high, and this can only make it worse.
“When even Government ministers claim that learning English is essential for community cohesion, why does this not apply to the driving test?” His call follows growing concerns about the increasing number of accidents on Britain’s road involving foreign-speaking drivers.
The number of crashes involving vehicles registered to Poles has increased by 200 per cent in two years.
Slovakian cars and lorries were involved in 462 accidents in 2006, compared with 120 in 2004. And Lithuanian drivers were in 745 crashes here last year, compared with 232 two years previously, according to figures from the Motor Insurance Bureau. Driving Standards Agency (DSA) figures yesterday showed that 92,774 learners took their driving theory tests in languages other than English in the year 2006-07.
The most popular non-English language was Urdu, with 20,975 candidates, followed by Kurdish with 15,726 and Turkish, 10,491.
Fifteen people took the theory test in Welsh. But the least popular language was Kashmiri, used by six learner drivers.
Overall, just under 1.5million people took the theory test last year. DSA rules allow for various “special needs” requirements for many drivers, including people with disabilities and non-English speakers.
For those whose first language is not English, special headphones can be provided during theory tests so questions can be heard in other languages.
The range of languages offered also includes Arabic, Bengali, Cantonese, Dari, Farsi, Hindi, Kashmiri, Kurdish, Mirpuri, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Pushto, Spanish, Tamil and Turkish.
Speakers of other languages can also apply to have translators present, although they must pay the fees themselves.
